http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rainwater Harvesting en-us http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/hose-bans-water-meters-institution-civil-enginers.php Hose Pipe bans may be relieved but the Institution of Civil Engineers says that water meters with higher tariffs are the answer. Michael Norton, chairman of the institution's water panel, said hosepipe bans were a "short-term fix" not a long-term solution. "In our view, they should not be a feature of water supply in the UK in the future," he said. The ICE marked the UK's water security as four out of 10. Mr Norton said: "Water security has reached a critical point and we believe the underlying reason for that is we haven't taken a long-term strategic view about planning our water resources in the UK." ICE added that at pound sterling 1 per day water was underpriced. April's heavy rains staved off the chance of prolonged water supply shortages. Water levels are back to where the Water Authorities expect them to be and there is little chance of the ban remaining in place until Autumn as originally feared. Despite the rainfall, the Environment Agency aid water levels in Southern England remain a concern. The agency's head of water resources, Trevor Bishop, said: "We have seen a huge improvement in water resources in just a few short months, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer. "While the downpours in April were pretty miserable, they were really welcome as water companies were able to refill their reservoirs, river levels are mostly back to normal and many wildlife habitats that were suffering have recovered. "But while the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter. "We are still working with partners, planning for the impacts that a third dry winter could have on next year's water supplies." There is of course a solution - use the water off your roof. It s free! Recycling rainwater means saving mains water. By harvesting rainwater in an underground storage tank, you can store enough water to reduce by half the amount of mains water you need. This is an obvious cost saving if you are on a water meter as your bills would be dramatically reduced. Rainwater you collect will be of a better quality and contain less chemical than mains water. Recycled Rainwater is clean and is neither very hard nor very soft. It also does not contain the additives that are put into mains water to clean and kill germs. This means it is better for washing clothes in, as detergents work better in softer water without additives like water softener. Rainwater harvesting is a benefit to the environment. If everyone were to use half the water they use right now, then water companies would not need to have to spend so much money piping drinking water round the country, one third of which gets flushed down the toilet. By recycling rainwater by using underground cisterns, we can save water, reduce carbon emissions, reduce water demand, and protect the environment. There is no need for further purification of water off the roof for use for flushing toilets, washing clothes and in the garden. Recent advances in pumps for water, and in rainwater management system with gravity-feed rainwater systems in the roofspace, ensure that as little electricity is used as possible. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/why-use-mains-water-instead-of-rainwater.php Use mains water instead of rainwater? While the government is busily promoting water-less urinals and low power showers, two devices that most free thinking humans abhor, parts of the UK are in the worst drought situation for many years. Use the water off your roof. Its free! The benefits of recycling rainwater and saving mains water, are mostly to the end user. By harvesting rainwater in an underground cistern, you can store enough water to halve the amount of mains water you need. This has an obvious financial benefit if youre on a water meter as your costs would be halved too. You will also notice that the rainwater you collect will be of a better quality and purer than mains water. Recycled Rainwater is clean and is neither very hard nor very soft. It also doesnt contain the additives that are put into mains water to clean and kill germs. This means it is better for washing clothes in, as detergents work better in softer water without additives like water softener. Rainwater harvesting also benefits the environment. If everyone were to use half the water they use right now, then water companies wouldnt need to have to spend so much money piping drinking water round the country, one third of which gets flushed down the toilet. By recycling rainwater by using underground cisterns, we can save water, reduce carbon emissions, reduce water demand, and protect the environment. There is no need for further purification of water off the roof for use for flushing toilets, washing clothes and in the garden. Recent advances in pumps for water, and in rainwater management system with gravity-feed cisterns in the roofspace, ensure that as little electricity is used as possible. Rainwater Harvesting Limited invents, innovates and develops environmental products for tomorrow's greener world. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/drought.php Rainwater Harvesting Ltd, one of the leaders in its field, believes that the need to harvest rainwater is more important then ever. New figures have been released showing that the average water and sewerage bills in England and Wales will rise by as much as 8.8% next year. This is announced in the same week that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) states that much of southern and eastern England is officially in a state of drought. In the current climate, money is not the only thing that is scarce - rainwater is now too. Last year the Met Office showed a marked decrease in rainfall in all areas of the country meaning the water aquifers available to the water companies can provide even less than before. Rainwater harvesting can cut mains water consumption in half by using water straight off the roof for washing clothes, flushing the toilet, watering the garden and washing the car. Water bills can be greatly reduced, and with the latest increases announced, the payback on installing a system ranges between 6 and 10 years. And with an energy-conscious system such as the Rain Director (reg mark), the power cost of the pump needed in any rainwater harvesting system is only 1p per person per day. Installing a rainwater harvesting system is not complicated. Tanks ranging in size from 1,500 to 13,000 litres are adequate to deal with most households. They should be placed underground to keep the water cool and fresh and the tank out of view. The rainwater is filtered before entering the tank, a pump takes the water to where it is needed inside and outside the home and mains water is switched on automatically if the rain runs out. Using rainwater whenever mains water is not needed is a logical investment to make. And it is clearly becoming really necessary. Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes have set mains water use limits. We can be economical in our mains water use but why throw treated water down the toilets which is 30% of our daily use? Furthermore, rainwater harvesting is seen as one way of helping absorb excess rainwater in terms of flood threats. This is of particular concern to planners nowadays. Further information on all the products supplied by RainWater Harvesting Ltd., is available from the company on 01733 405 111, email: info@rainwaterharvesting.co.uk or by visiting the company s website at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rain-backup-in-a-box.php Rainwater Harvesting Limited's Rain Back Up in a Box is a 'plug and play' product that takes the complexity out of solenoid valve and float switch driven mains water back up or top up systems. The Rain Backup in a Box replaces a bundle of components with a single wall mounted unit. Rainwater harvesting plays a large role in reducing the dependence of any building on expensive treated water from the mains. Toilet flushing, clothes washing and any outdoor use of water can be assured by rainwater. In most cases the total mains use of the building can be cut in half. But what happens if rainwater runs out. Every system needs a mains water backup to keep the dependent appliances going. The simplest way is a float switch and solenoid valve; the float switch detects when the rainwater storage tank is empty and opens the electrically-actuated solenoid valve so that mains water flows into the bottom of the tank. When the float switch floats off the bottom of the tank it turns the solenoid valve off. The bulk of the storage tank remains empty ready to admit the water from the next rain shower. Rain Backup in a Box brings these components together ready connected and ready to go. U.K. Building Regulations require that rainwater cannot possibly flow back into the mains water supply. For this reason all mains backup devices must have an air gap where the mains water flows into the rainwater tank. The simplest way to do this is for the mains water to flow through open air into a funnel shaped device called a tundish. It can be seen in the image at the bottom right of the unit. The Rain Backup in a Box is fitted in a frost free area of the building where the occupiers can see and hear it. When the tank supply of water rainwater has run out, any mains water running from the solenoid valve into the tundish can be seen through the transparent cover and can be heard through the aperture at the side. Rain Back Up in a Box is Trade Mark Registered. Trade enquires are welcome. For more information call 0800 074 7234 Rainwater Harvesting Limited invents, innovates and develops environmental products for tomorrow's greener world. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwater-harvesting-multi-home-developments.php Rainwater Harvesting: Use of mass-produced underground storage tanks and the Rain Director in Multi-home Developments and Commercial Buildings Key Arguments made in the paper. Mass produced two-piece tanks such as the Carat Range from Otto Graf GmbH in Germany are cheaper to manufacture, transport and install than one piece laid-up fibre glass or steel framed and GRP sectional tanks. The long guarantees on these products and the perfection of the seal between the two halves now makes these tanks ideal for larger scale professional applications. In the case of multi-home developments, the developer can take advice from the experts whether or not to install header tanks, and if so whether to have one in each home or share. Sharing rainwater between dwellings is usually acceptable but sharing mains water is not: therefore a device which admits mains water to the rainwater tank is not acceptable. Clearly, a device which admits mains water backup to a header tank in each dwelling is essential. A plain header tank with float cocks for rain and mains is also unsuitable because the rainwater would go yellow in the warmth of the roof space; a smart header tank with automatic recirculation of rainwater (especially when the occupants leave, for example, on holiday) is essential. A automated rainwater management device with header tank designed for managing rainwater around the home is therefore ideal for multi-home developments and commercial buildings. This paper outlines principles and typical installations. Rainwater Harvesting Limited supplies rainwater harvesting storage tanks, pumps, filters and management systems to households. and commercial businesses. www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk is a large information resource offering valuable technical information and advice in addition to 1000s of product specifications. http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwater-harvesting-explained.php RainWater Harvesting explained Build for rain It rained all last summer and it s been raining all this summer. The reservoirs are full, the rivers which provide over 70 percent of our mains water are overflowing. But in 2006 it was the driest summer on record with hosepipe bans and parched gardens everywhere. In Great Britain we have been spoilt by access to cheap and plentiful water. This is changing. Many water companies are planning desalination plants to meet increased demand and 10 companies in August proposed price rises that could lead to a 40 percent increase in water bills within 5 years. The credit crunch hitting the building industry is having repercussions everywhere; all the more reason to give a building project added value by installing a rainwater harvesting system. Investment in a rainwater harvesting system can increase the value of a new or renovated home by many times the cost of the equipment. And in comparison to the overall cost, a rainwater system need not be expensive. The current price for a typical home system for outdoor use, for WCs and washing machines with a 3750 litre underground tank, accessories and top of the range mains back up is around pounds sterling 2500 including VAT and delivery. A 3600 litre above ground system for outdoor use costs just over pounds sterling 1000. Do this and you could save up to 50% on mains water consumption and relieve flood threats. The Pressure is on As demand for water grows, at long last we are officially encouraged to use rainwater instead of mains water whenever possible: 1. As of 1 May 2008, the mandatory rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes puts pressure on to install rainwater harvesting in new builds. 2. Planning applications with rainwater harvesting are favored. (Planning Policy Statement, Climate Change, December 2007) 3. Businesses can benefit from the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme to benefit from a tax rebate. 4. New legislation will give water boards greater powers during water shortages. Hosepipes will be banned for topping up pools, hot tubs and decorative ponds, as well as for watering gardens and outdoor cleaning. DEFRA can impose even more severe drought restrictions at any time. Flood Avoidance Last summer and this summer have seen bad floods. In some areas, the tendency to flooding has been encouraged by the increased use of hard-standing round houses, particularly when additional off road parking is needed. Some councils are already encouraging the use of permeable surfaces, rainwater tanks and perforated drainpipes to absorb excess water in downpours. In this case, rainwater harvesting serves a double function of providing free water and offsetting potential flood damage. It's common sense With a little extra investment, rainwater can be used inside to feed WCs and washing machines. Installing a domestic system is more straightforward in a new-build home, but with some alterations to down-pipes and interior plumbing, a system can be added to existing houses. Water tanks of 2000 to 7000 litres are needed for feeding the home and we can supply you with the accessories needed, including pumps, super filters and a mains switchover panel which transfer the rainwater supply system to the mains if the tank runs out. RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk stocks a wide range of tanks and components available for quick delivery. Our best-selling systems come from the GRAF Carat range of tanks and accessories. These tanks have exceptional stability thanks to their manufacturing technique giving them uniform strength throughout (i.e. they won't collapse). They also come in two sections making them easy to transport and position. Kits are tailor-made to suit client's needs, including two options for topping up the tank with mains water if the rainwater runs out. Assembly is straightforward with attached instructions, and phone help is on hand from our technical advisors. A typical kit includes: tank integrated filter telescopic lid and turret overflow siphon and rodent barrier calmed inlet floating pump intake Mains backup options (if you ve got toilets and washing machine connected you need to have an automatic switch over to mains water when the rain runs out) a) submersible pump with remote floating switch b) rain manager with pump and mains switch in one unit c) the new Rain Director(r) which ensures a constant head of clear rainwater for washing machines, toilets, the garden and other uses. An intelligent header tank in the home is controlled by electronic level sensors, valves and control panel in a user-controllable unit. This ensures fail-safe mains backup with smart header tank, saves energy and prolongs pump life, avoids brackishness in header tank, Assures water supply during a power cut, automatic and user-controlled functions, and handy controls but no pump noise. There is a wealth of technical advice on our website http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk. There are downloads, specifications, calculators and dimensions but if you need help, just call 0800 074 7234 during office hours and we'll be delighted to assist. Why pay for water when its available off your own roof? Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwaterharvesting-case-history-terrace.php RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk RainWater Harvesting CASE HISTORY The Eco house at Elephant and Castle, Dick Strawbridge and BBCs Its Hard to be Green The Site Petite, mid 19th century terrace house at 36 Wansey Street, London SE17 1JP, just south of Elephant and Castle. Undergoing major renovation with eco features, the first of which is rainwater harvesting... full article dowanload http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwaterharvesting-case-history-terrace.pdf For more information call 0800 074 7234 Rainwater Harvesting Limited invents, innovates and develops environmental products for tomorrows greener world. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwaterharvesting-case-history-cottage.php RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk CASE HISTORY Little Cottage in Wickham Market is a great example of what carbon neutral homes of the future may look like and they estimate the 120 sq.m property could cost as little as British Pounds 340 a year for heating, hot water and lighting. Full article http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwaterharvesting-case-history-cottage.php For more about RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk, the range of different solutions available, and advice on how to select the right product, please visit the website. For more information call 0800 074 7234 Rainwater Harvesting Limited invents, innovates and develops environmental products for tomorrows greener world. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/malaysian-agreement-rainwater-harvesting-ltd.php The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Sri Najib, opened the first International Green Tech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia today with statements of intent to budget and legislate for incentives for eco-friendly and sustainable features in homes and buildings. The Malaysian governments commitment to reduction in greenhouse gases by 40% by 2020, for example, goes deeper than those of the Copenhagen summit and their new budget provides for tax incentives and for subsidies to home owners and in research into green technologies. At the same time Aura-Lite (M) SdnBhd, a major distributor of green products for the sustainable home, and U.K.-based manufacturer of innovative eco-products RainWater Harvesting Ltd signed a long term distribution and cooperation agreement. Under this agreement Aura-Lite will distribute rainwater harvesting equipment, across ten countries in the ASEAN area, from the British company and will cooperate in the development of new products and services. Aura-Lite launched at the IGEM show a range of products from RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk including underground tanks, filters, pumps and the award-winning and patented rain management systems the Rain Director and the Solar Rain Director which reduce the mains electricity used in pumping the rainwater round the house. read more.. Find out more: For more about RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk, the range of different solutions available, and advice on how to select the right product, please visit the website. For more information call 0800 074 7234 Rainwater Harvesting Limited invents, innovates and develops environmental products for tomorrows greener world. Our web shop is RainwaterHarvesting co uk. Full details at www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk Rain Water Harvesting, Unit A Harrier Park, Southgate Way, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YQ, United Kingdom Phone (+44) 1733 405100, fax (+44) 1733 230996, web site http://www.RainWaterHarvesting.co.uk